The State of Gerontological Training in Ghana: Implications for a Specialized Workforce and the Aging Population

Abstract The rise in older population in Ghana is accompanied by several challenges that may require trained professionals with specialized knowledge in geriatrics and gerontology to help address. Extensive review of existing literature, however, indicates a lack of comprehensive geriatric focused training in Ghana’s education system. Unfortunately, the scope of this training deficiency, potential impact on the geriatric workforce, as well as the health and wellbeing of the aging population on the national level have not been extensively examined. With the older adult population set to increase over the next few years, the need for geriatric-trained human service professionals in diverse disciplines, including medicine, nursing, psychology, social work and public health has become more pronounced. This paper is a review of the current state of gerontological education in higher institutions in Ghana. Specifically, authors examined (1) current geriatric-focused training programs available to students in all public/government owned institutions, (2) existing national level programs, and policies addressing training deficiencies, and (3) the implications of findings for future geriatric workforce as well as the health and wellbeing of older Ghanaians. The findings call attention to the need for a nationwide geriatric-focused training system and policies aimed at prioritizing specialized care for the older population. Culturally appropriate recommendations for integrating gerontological training and education in tertiary institutions are discussed. Guidelines and standards based on the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Competencies for Undergraduate and Graduate Education are proposed.


DIFFERENCES IN GERIATRIC-FOCUSED EDUCATION PREPARATION AND BELIEFS ABOUT PROVIDING CARE TO OLDER PATIENTS IN GHANA
Grace Karikari, 1 and Samuel Asante, 2 1. University of North Dakota,Grand Forks,North Dakota,United States,2. Northeastern State University,Tahlequah,Oklahoma,United States With the increasing growth rate of older persons and a rise in related illnesses in Ghana, it is vital that health practitioners are equipped with geriatric-oriented knowledge and expertise to provide the needed services to geriatric patients. The purpose of this study was to examine (i) the differences in the level of geriatric-focused educational preparation between graduating medical and nursing students in a Ghanaian public institution, and (ii) the association between educational preparation and students' beliefs about providing care to geriatric patients. The study hypothesized that students with more positive beliefs will be linked to higher educational preparation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted (n=136 students). Findings show significant differences in the educational preparation of medical and nursing students (t [134] = -3.790, p < .001). Graduating nursing students, comparatively, had higher educational preparation (M=23.14, SDe3.30) than medical students (M=21.14, SD=2.76). However, there was no significant association between students' educational preparation and their beliefs about geriatric care. The findings underscore the need for extensive or more focused training. Further, the association between beliefs and educational preparation warrants further exploration. The need to examine the social cultural environment within which the research participants reside are discussed.

ONLINE GERONTOLOGY COURSES: ISSUES OF EQUITY Anita Sharma, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana, United States
The COVID-19 Pandemic changed higher education in several significant ways. The most significant impact was on methods of course delivery. In March 2020, all educational institutions changed their methods of instruction to fully online instruction. It happened almost overnight and left the students as well as the instructors unprepared for the unanticipated metamorphosis . The sudden and unanticipated change in the method of instruction and delivery of course contents also highlighted issues of equity. There appeared to be high levels of inequity in the use of technology across school and college campuses. A survey of students conducted by the author at the University of Louisiana at Monroe revealed different types of inequity such as, lack of finances to buy equipment, lack of training in the use of technology, and lack of personal space to study from home. A significant percentage of student population at ULM consists of firstgeneration college students. These students were impacted the most by the new methods of course delivery. Additionally, the author looked up similar surveys at other educational institutions and conducted a meta-analysis of published studies. This paper presents these findings. The rise in older population in Ghana is accompanied by several challenges that may require trained professionals with specialized knowledge in geriatrics and gerontology to help address. Extensive review of existing literature, however, indicates a lack of comprehensive geriatric focused training in Ghana's education system. Unfortunately, the scope of this training deficiency, potential impact on the geriatric workforce, as well as the health and wellbeing of the aging population on the national level have not been extensively examined. With the older adult population set to increase over the next few years, the need for geriatric-trained human service professionals in diverse disciplines, including medicine, nursing, psychology, social work and public health has become more pronounced. This paper is a review of the current state of gerontological education in higher institutions in Ghana. Specifically, authors examined (1) current geriatric-focused training programs available to students in all public/government owned institutions, (2) existing national level programs, and policies addressing training deficiencies, and (3) the implications of findings for future geriatric workforce as well as the health and wellbeing of older Ghanaians. The findings call attention to the need for a nationwide geriatric-focused training system and policies aimed at prioritizing specialized care for the older population. Culturally appropriate recommendations for integrating gerontological training and education in tertiary institutions are discussed. Guidelines and standards based on the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Competencies for Undergraduate and Graduate Education are proposed.

WHAT DO ISRAELI GERONTOLOGY STUDENTS THINK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE FOR ALZHEIMER'S AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE?
Offer Edelstein, 1 Richard Isralowitz, 2 Oren Wacht, 2 Alexander Reznik, 2 and Yaacov Bachner, 3 , 1. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, HaDarom,Israel,HaDarom,Israel,HaDarom,Israel Aims: The aims of the current study were as follows: 1) to assess gerontology graduate students' beliefs about medical marijuana's (MMJ) effectiveness for two common age-related conditions -Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD); 2) to assess students' beliefs and attitudes toward MMJ; 3) to explore associations linking background characteristics, MMJ-related attitudes and beliefs, and beliefs about the MMJ effectiveness for AD and PD.
Method: A sample of 104 (84 women and 20 men) gerontology graduate students voluntarily participated in an anonymous online survey.
Results: The vast majority (95%) of the participants indicated they had no formal education about MMJ and reported being unprepared to answer clients' MMJ-related questions (84.6%). Most of the participants believed that MMJ is effective for use with AD (70.2%) and PD (80.8%) patients. Participants reported favorable beliefs about MMJ benefits, concerns about risks, the need for training, and positive attitudes toward recreational marijuana use legalization. Prior marijuana use (e.g., self-use, friends or family) was found to be associated with more positive beliefs about MMJ benefits, risks, and its legalization for recreational purposes. Prior marijuana use was the only factor associated with the belief that MMJ is an effective therapy for use with individuals diagnosed with AD or PD.
Conclusions: The study findings stress the need for students' MMJ education in order to provide future gerontology service providers with the necessary knowledge and ability to address clients' questions about MMJ use. Efforts to develop curricula and training programs need to be promoted.

CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE Chair: Brian Lindberg
This popular annual session will provide cutting-edge information on what the 117th Congress has and has not accomplished to date, and what may be left for end of the First Session. Speakers will discuss key issues such as pandemic relief, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND COPING AMONG OLDER ADULTS: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS AND VIRTUAL REALITY PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT Chair: Zhen Cong
This symposium included 4 studies that use national and regional data to examine older adults' disaster preparedness and coping. The first study examined age differences in preparedness for the continuation of COVID-19 with a sample of 443 residents in Dallas, TX. The findings highlight older adults' resilience and special needs for different types of support during the pandemic. The second study examined the association of having COVID-19 and intergenerational relationships using the COVID-19 module of the Health and Retirement Study with a sample of 3266 respondents. Using a national sample of 1,467 respondents from the 2017 U.S. National Household Survey, the third study examined age differences relationships among the type of disasters (i.e., disasters with different lead-time), response efficacy, and disaster preparedness. The findings highlighted older adults' unique vulnerability and resilience in different types of disasters. The fourth study discussed a pilot virtual reality platform under development to assist older adults to develop tailored household emergency preparedness plans and practice those plans with simulated extreme weather conditions and warnings for older adults to practice disaster response and develop relevant knowledge and skills as well as test and revise their emergency preparedness plans. Overall, this symposium emphasizes the uniqueness of older adults' needs, vulnerability, and resilience to disasters.